Atopy is ... Atopic dermatitis

Allergy is considered the most common disease on the planet. To date, according to statistics, every fifth inhabitant of the Earth suffers from it: 40% of Americans, 60% of Germans. In Russia, with an allergy experienced, according to unspecified data, from 5 to 30% of people. Such a spread in percent is caused by the fact that the diagnosis is often mistaken, and the symptoms are taken for signs of a completely different disease.

One of the varieties of allergic reactions is atopy. It can manifest itself in people regardless of age and sex. It affects animals.

What is atopy of the skin?

The name of the disease is of Greek origin and, in translation, means "difference from others, dissimilarity". It is not contagious and is not transmitted by airborne, domestic and contact routes.

Atopy is a chronic skin disease that is allergic in nature and is most often inherited. This term was first introduced in 1922 by the doctor Koka. He established the relationship between skin rashes and increased sensitivity of the body, caused by the predominance of humoral antibodies. Basically affects the atopy of people, but can be observed in animals. Many of the characteristic signs for her were noted in dogs, walruses, cattle and other animals.

Atopy is the reaction of the body to a variety of substances, for example, pollen, food, medicinal, insecticidal. There can be a lot of options. The pathogens themselves are called atopenes. They can cause varying degrees of bronchial asthma, hives, hay fever, allergic rhinitis and dermatitis, and Quincke's edema. Less common are gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, stomatitis, hemolytic anemia.

Statistics

According to the results of the research, from 6 to 10% of the inhabitants of the planet suffer from atopy. It has a different character. In a third of all cases, there is atopy in children under one year. The more common this disease is in the hereditary history, the greater the likelihood that the child will face it. The most characteristic signs of ailment are duration, certain periodicity and relapses.

Symptoms of atopy

The disease begins with the redness of some areas of the skin, the appearance of small rashes and flaking. Then the symptoms intensify. Skin prone to atopy begins to itch, itching gradually becomes very pronounced. Usually, rashes may protrude slightly over the surface of the body. Most often, atopic dermatitis begins with the abdomen, chest, upper and lower extremities, gradually spreading to the rest of the skin.

When these symptoms are manifested, one simple rule must be observed. When there is a strong itching, I really want to scratch the affected areas of the skin, in no case can not do this! Under our nails is a large number of pathogenic bacteria that can get into the microranutrition and cause inflammation. It is unacceptable to scratch the skin with dermatitis. This can lead to the occurrence of purulent sores and constantly wet erosion. They will make the healing process much longer.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, skin atopy does not cause a general deterioration in the person's well-being. Severe course of the disease can cause depression, characterized by depression, bad mood, tearfulness and even a reluctance to live. That is why anti-atopic therapy uses soothing and tonic drugs. They contribute to the smoothing of nervous excitability and discontent with themselves and others.

Causes of Atopy

Each disease is provoked by a number of factors, both external and internal. Atopy is the reaction of the body to the pathogen of allergy. Many doctors firmly believe that the likelihood of the disease is highest among those people whose parents were also exposed to it. This opinion is refuted by opponents who believe that such an assumption is very convenient for those allergists who are not able to choose the right treatment in each specific case. Even when both parents are atopic, there is no absolute certainty that their child will suffer from it. Significantly reduced the probability of transmission of the disease by inheritance, if it was observed only in the mother or father. Usually the first signs of atopy appear within six months after the birth of the child. They become aggravated and pass into chronic form if the nursing mother does not follow the rules of nutrition or violates the basic requirements for lure.

The mechanism of development of atopic reactions

The very first stage of the disease is the effect on the body and directly on the skin of provoking allergens. In the epidermis there are antigenic cells that contain IgE. After they interact with atopen, they are activated and migrate to the lymph nodes located nearby. The second stage of the disease begins. It is associated with the awakening of Tp2-lymphocytes, which secrete biologically active substances-cytokines. They also cause allergic skin rashes. The release of cytokines in the focus of inflammation leads to irritation of nerve endings and the appearance of itching. As a result of combing the affected area of the skin, the inflammation process becomes aggravated and often turns into a chronic form. Often atopy can self-sustain even when the allergen is eliminated. In this case, long-term therapy is prescribed.

How the course of atopy changes with age

This disease is divided into three forms: infant, child and adult. Each of them has its own specific features. The infant form is manifested in children between the ages of zero and two years. Most often, signs of the disease occur on the face and limb bending places. Often acute atopy with teething and the introduction of complementary foods. The children's phase is observed in children from 2 to 12 years. It is characterized by eruptions on the neck and elbows. They are accompanied by scaling and severe itching. Adult atopy is a disease that can both disappear for a long time and sharpen sharply. It is characterized by itching, scaling and dry skin on the affected areas.

Atopy: treatment

It is impossible to get rid of dermatitis forever. But to weaken or at all to remove unpleasant symptoms is quite realistic. A dermatologist necessarily prescribes antihistamines. Depending on the severity of the disease, it can be as external ointments and creams, and drops, tablets and even injections.

Recently, a method of treatment, such as specific antihistamine therapy, has become more popular. Its essence is that the patient intramuscularly injected a small dose of the extract of the allergen, which provokes atopy. Gradually the amount of the drug increases. As a result, over time, the human body becomes less susceptible to the effects of the reagent.

Atopy in animals

Allergies overtake not only people. Very often there is atopy in dogs, cows, cats and other animals. Usually the only characteristic sign of the disease is itching. The remaining manifestations are secondary and are caused by active scratching. Cats are most often affected by the head.

Atopy begins seasonally. The owner of the animal can observe biting, combing, the appearance of scratches and wounds. These symptoms can be accompanied by otitis and sneezing. Usually, corticosteroids are used to treat atopy in animals.